Mes: enero 2021

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — PRO Unlimited, the pioneer and leading modern workforce management solution provider in the industry, announced today an exclusive partnership with Eightfold AI, a talent intelligence pioneer and leader. Under the terms of the partnership, PRO will embed Eightfold’s AI technology into its contingent workforce management platform, including SaaS solutions, such as Wand Vendor Management System (VMS), Direct Sourcing and Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) offerings, to optimize its customers’ contingent hiring practices. Eightfold’s AI-driven talent intelligence, coupled with PRO’s 30 years of data and technology, will also increase the power of PRO’s contingent workforce management platform. It will enable the Global 2000 to more effectively and intelligently identify, engage and secure the best contingent talent in the world, while attaining diversity goals.  

As the economy rebounds, organizations will be hiring contingent workers ahead of the recovery while prioritizing areas within hiring, such as retention and D&I initiatives. However, many organizations lack the ability to harness machine-based learning, data and intelligence to not only source the best candidates, but also to drive their businesses forward. Eightfold AI’s talent intelligence and PRO’s contingent workforce management platform, including the world’s largest global market rate data repository, aim to solve this problem, which is one of the biggest pain points for companies today. 

PRO will embed Eightfold’s AI technology into its software to provide customers with features that enable more informed hiring, diversity and redeployment of workers anywhere in the world. This real-time matching and ranking of candidates drives faster, smarter hiring decisions at scale. This helps organizations secure the best talent, while reducing costs and increasing D&I. Managers eager to reduce manual tasks and increase efficiency will be able to more quickly and effectively identify candidates that align with a job’s requirements. Leading-edge job calibration capabilities and intuitive UI design offer these managers an easy, at-a-glance way to compare candidates side-by-side based on unbiased empirical data.

Using Eightfold AI’s technology, PRO will also be able to offer direct sourcing to its customers. This dramatically improves the experience that contingent specialty-skilled, white-collar workers go through during the hiring process, and will ultimately improve the Global 2000’s contingent worker brands. 

«Today, the modern workforce is massive, with roughly 43% of all skilled white-collar workers being contingent vs. full-time employees. Many organizations are aggressively and strategically pushing that number to 50% or 60% while simultaneously shifting to more and more diverse candidates. Within this expanding workforce segment, there is a huge opportunity to harvest the enormous amount of PRO’s data, deploy world-class machine-based learning to that data, and ultimately utilize it to make the process, quality, intelligence and cost of this massive modern workforce far superior than it is today,» said Kevin Akeroyd, CEO of PRO Unlimited. «We are excited to partner with a company that uses industry-leading AI technology to truly understand a candidate’s skill set or D&I attributes while generating recommendations to help inform hiring decisions.» 

Akeroyd added: «This is truly a game changer for our space. It will transform how our customers, which include some of the largest brands globally, source, develop and redeploy their workforces while lowering costs. Partnering exclusively in the contingent industry with this innovative talent intelligence company is something we are incredibly excited about.»

Eightfold AI’s talent intelligence platform brings together billions of anonymized data points, algorithms and domain expertise to make a reliable, scalable impact for enterprise organizations. The platform combines internal data with publicly available insights to predict future roles, as well as identify validated skills, likely skills and missing skills – speeding up the process substantially. Its AI technology uses the career paths of more than one billion profiles. This results in 90% less time screening, 80% faster time to interview, 70% more top candidates, 60% lower cost to hire, and due to its gender/anonymous evaluations, 0% bias. This is critical as Eightfold’s demographic-masking capabilities and its unique diversity analytics help block the biases in traditional hiring, understand barriers for candidates and create accountability. With the addition of the Eightfold partnership, PRO will offer an unparalleled suite of diversity offerings for the contingent workforce. 

«Partnering with PRO Unlimited is perfectly aligned with our mission of providing the right career to everyone in the world,» said Ashutosh Garg, Founder and CEO of Eightfold AI. «Together, we are able to bring Eightfold’s unique expertise and capability working with full-time employment to an entirely new, critical segment of customers in the rapidly growing, strategic, contingent workforce space.»

PRO’s embedding of Eightfold AI’s technology will roll out initially in Q1 2021 and iterate rapidly, driving continuous improvement and value creation, and be available for all PRO customers. 

About PRO Unlimited
PRO Unlimited offers the industry’s most comprehensive and holistic platform for contingent workforce management, and helps organizations around the world address the costs, risks and quality issues associated with managing the non-employee workforce. PRO’s platform consists of integrated SaaS software and services solutions that are built on the world’s most robust contingent workforce data set, spanning over 30 years. A pioneer and innovator in the industry, PRO’s platform provides solutions for the procurement and management of contingent labor, global rate intelligence, direct sourcing, 1099/co-employment risk management, third-party payroll, and diversity and inclusion. http://www.prounlimited.com

About Eightfold AI

Eightfold AI® delivers the Talent Intelligence Platform™, the most effective way for organizations to retain top performers, upskill and reskill the workforce, recruit top talent efficiently, and reach diversity goals. Eightfold AI’s deep learning artificial intelligence platform empowers enterprises to turn talent management into a competitive advantage. For more information, visit www.eightfold.ai. 

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SOURCE PRO Unlimited

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — TrueCar, Inc. projects total new vehicle sales will reach 1,048,975 units in January 2021, down 4.4% from a year ago when adjusted for the same number of selling days. This month’s seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) for total light vehicle sales is an estimated 15.9 million units. Excluding fleet sales, TrueCar expects U.S. retail deliveries of new cars and light trucks to be 880,552 units, an increase of 0.4% from a year ago when adjusted for the same number of selling days. Used vehicle sales for January 2021 are expected to reach 3.2 million, up 1% from a year ago and up 10% from December 2020. 

«Entering 2021 with retail sales in line with last year is a big win for the automotive industry,» said Nick Woolard, Lead Industry Analyst at TrueCar. «However, while retail sales have rebounded, rental fleets remained depressed and continue to interrupt fleet sales. . As a result, fleet sales are struggling to come back to pre-pandemic levels and are driving total unit sales down.»

«The automotive industry continues to reap the benefits of continued strength in retail demand with lower incentive spend. A handful of brands such as Ford, Genesis, GMC, Ram and Toyota, appear to be in the coveted quadrant of both retail growth as well as incentive decline. This is mostly driven by new product and being in the right segments or a combination of the two,» added Woolard.

Average transaction prices (ATP) are projected to be up 4.2% or $1,509 from a year ago and down 4.5% or $1,759 from December 2020. TrueCar projects that U.S. revenue from new vehicle sales will reach approximately $39 billion for January 2021, down 4.4% (based on a non-adjusted daily selling rate) from a year ago and down 38.2% from last month.

«Average transaction prices have finally come down from the record-setting highs we saw last month, but are still higher than this time last year.  Of the bigger manufacturers, only Kia has an average transaction price below $30,000. We expect this trend to continue as consumers desire pricier trucks and SUVs,» said Alain Nana-Sinkam, Vice President of Industry Insights at TrueCar. «As new vehicle prices rise, we may see more price-conscious shoppers gravitate back towards smaller segments or the used car market due to growing concerns around affordability.»

Additional Insights (forecast by TrueCar):

• Total retail sales for January 2021 are expected to be up 0.4% from a year ago and down 28.6% from December 2020 when adjusted for the same number of selling days.
• Fleet sales for January 2021 are expected to be down 23.7% from a year ago and up 8% from December 2020 when adjusted for the same number of selling days.
• Average transaction price is projected to be up 4.2% or $1,509 from a year ago and down 4.5% or $1,759 from December 2020.
• Total SAAR is expected to decrease 5.5% from a year ago from 16.8 million units to 15.9 million units.
• Used vehicle sales for January 2021 are expected to reach 3.2 million, up 1% from a year ago and up 10% from December 2020.
• The average interest rate on new vehicles is 5.6% and the average interest rate on used vehicles is 8.1%.

January 2021 forecasts for the 13 largest manufacturers by volume. For additional data, visit the TrueCar Newsroom.

Total Unit Sales

Retail Unit Sales

Fleet Unit Sales

Fleet Penetration

Total Market Share

Retail Market Share

Average Transaction Price (ATP)

Incentive Spending

Incentives as a Percentage of Average Transaction Price (ATP)

(Note: This forecast is based solely on TrueCar, Inc.’s analysis of industry sales trends and conditions and is not a projection of TrueCar, Inc.’s operations.)

About TrueCar
TrueCar is a leading automotive digital marketplace that enables car buyers to connect to our nationwide network of Certified Dealers. We are building the industry’s most personalized and efficient car buying experience as we seek to bring more of the purchasing process online. Consumers who visit our marketplace will find a suite of vehicle discovery tools, price ratings, and market context on new and used cars – all with a clear view of what’s a great deal. When they are ready, TrueCar will enable them to connect with a local Certified Dealer who shares in our belief that truth, transparency, and fairness are the foundation of a great car buying experience. As part of our marketplace, TrueCar powers car-buying programs for over 250 leading brands, including AARP, Sam’s Club, and American Express. Nearly half of all new-car buyers engage with TrueCar powered sites, where they buy smarter and drive happier. TrueCar is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with offices in Austin, Texas, and Boston, Massachusetts.

For more information, please visit www.truecar.com, and follow us on Facebook or Twitter. TrueCar media line: +1-844-469-8442 (US toll-free) | Email: pr@truecar.com 

TrueCar PR Contacts:
Shadee Malekafzali
shadee@truecar.com
424.258.8694

Tanya Kohan
tkohan@truecar.com
714.425.6319

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SOURCE Truecar, Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Black and Hispanic Americans are being hit harder by the credit system, a recent survey from Credit Sesame finds. With poor credit impacting more than just one’s financial picture—it can affect everything from a consumer’s mental health to their ability to get a car loan or lease a cell phone—this racial credit gap comes at a high cost.  

According to the research, which surveyed 5,000 adults in the United States, Black Americans report having the lowest overall credit scores of the groups surveyed. More than half (54 percent) of Black Americans report having poor or fair credit (a credit score below 640) or no credit at all, while 41 percent of Hispanic Americans, 37 percent of White Americans and 18 percent of Asian Americans fall into this category.

Black Americans are also at a disadvantage when it comes to financial products, savings and debt. Over half (53 percent) of Black Americans say they are living paycheck to paycheck, significantly higher than 44 percent of Americans overall, and many more Black Americans (21 percent) say they have student loans compared to the rate among all Americans (13 percent). Just 53 percent of Black Americans report having a credit card—a critical component for helping to build a strong credit foundation when used correctly—compared to 63 percent of Hispanic Americans, 67 percent of White Americans, and 79 percent of Asian Americans.

«I was never taught [about finances] growing up,» said a Black American survey respondent. «I was told investing was only what rich people could do.»

Asian Americans, in contrast, say they are thriving in the credit system. More than 80 percent of Asian Americans have a good or excellent credit score (a credit score above 640), significantly higher than the national average of 61 percent. Additionally, 92 percent of this group reported having a positive or neutral experience with their credit.

«While the credit system was created to be blind, this data shows that Black and Hispanic Americans are being unfairly shut out of the system,» said Jay Moon, General Manager of Credit at Credit Sesame. «We’ve seen that the cost of poor credit is much more than financial, impacting everything from mental health to relationships. It’s unacceptable that this is affecting the lives of some more than others.»

The credit score itself is only part of the story—many feel like they are inherently at a disadvantage within the credit system. Hispanic Americans feel nearly as slighted by the system as Black Americans. Nearly a third of Black Americans (30 percent) and a quarter of Hispanic Americans (25 percent) say they never had a chance to build good credit and that the system was stacked against them from the beginning. Further:

• Thirty percent of Black Americans and 27 percent of Hispanic Americans say they were misinformed or tricked in their first interactions with credit, compared to 18 percent among White Americans and 15 percent among Asian Americans.
• Twenty-one percent of Black Americans, 17 percent of Hispanic Americans and 16 percent of White Americans say financial services exist to hurt them, significantly higher than Asian Americans (9 percent).
• Nearly 1 in 3 Black and Hispanic Americans (30 percent) say there aren’t fair credit options for people like them, significantly higher than among White Americans (26 percent) and Asian Americans (23 percent).
• Over a third of Black Americans (34 percent) and Hispanic Americans (32 percent) are fearful and uncertain about the future because of their credit score compared to 27 percent White Americans and 20 percent Asian Americans.

One survey respondent said: «As an African American person, I feel that the odds were always against me. Banks won’t give us loans, etc.» A Hispanic American survey respondent added: «I was misinformed about credit and the way that it works. The odds were never in my favor from the beginning.»

«Creating equal credit opportunity is a critical first step toward helping to close the racial gap in our society, and it’s promising to see so many fintechs recognize this,» said Moon. «Whether it’s creating products explicitly for these underserved groups or providing more ways to access credit and resources, the important thing is to make progress.»

Methodology
Credit Sesame conducted this research using an online survey prepared by Method Research and distributed by Dynata among n=5,000 adults in the United States. The sample was balanced by census targets for age, gender and ethnicity to be nationally representative of the US population. Data was collected from October 16 to October 30, 2020. 

About Credit Sesame
Credit Sesame’s mission is to help consumers work toward financial stability and ultimately create better opportunities for themselves and their families. Strong credit health is inextricably linked to financial health and stability, and with the launch of Sesame Cash, Credit Sesame will help consumers manage both. Credit Sesame has helped millions of consumers improve their credit scores, increase their approval odds, lower the cost of credit and save money. Credit Sesame is funded by leading venture capital firms and strategic investors, including Menlo Ventures, Inventus Capital, Globespan Capital, IA Capital Groups, NortonLifeLock, Capital One Ventures, and Stanford University, among others. Credit Sesame currently operates in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on Credit Sesame, visit www.creditsesame.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Credit Sesame

ATLANTA, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) is excited to announce the appointment of our new President, Nick Kassanis, PE.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and received his Professional Engineer (PE) license in Mechanical Engineering specializing in HVAC Systems in 2016. In addition to his PE license, Mr. Kassanis holds the Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) and LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction (LEED AP BD+C) designations.

During his 11 years of industry experience, Nick has served in a variety of leadership positions developing knowledge and expertise in operations, business development and strategic growth planning. Mr. Kassanis has managed technically diverse teams, established industry-wide relationships, driven sales, and led strategic growth in key markets. He joined SIG in 2014 and has held positions of increasing responsibility including VP of Technical Services, and, most recently, Sr. VP of Business Development and Technical Services.

Throughout his time at SIG, Nick has managed and worked on over 30 million square feet of LEED certified space, over 50 LEED projects, 30+ Commissioning projects, 25+ Energy Modeling projects, 20+ Energy Audits, and over 500 ENERGY STAR Certifications across the nation. Additionally, Mr. Kassanis has established SIG’s presence on the West Coast by opening offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Outside of SIG, Nick has participated in extensive volunteer work with the ASHRAE Atlanta Chapter, serving as President for the 2016/2017 term. There, he worked to promote collaboration between ASHRAE and other professional organizations (USGBC/AIA/ULI), including collaboration between regional ASHRAE chapters throughout the United States. During his years spent with the organization, Mr. Kassanis also worked with K-12 students to promote STEM education.

«SIG continues to grow as the green building movement grows. With that growth, we need key leadership internally to scale and chase opportunity. Nick exemplifies that. In the last 7+ years at SIG, Nick has worked on over 30M square feet of LEED + Technical Service projects, innovated with our VIP clients’ needs, opened our California offices, and so much more.» –Charlie Cichetti, LEED Fellow + WELL AP, CEO of SIG and GBES.com

As President at SIG, Nick will focus on organizational excellence, strategic growth and representing our client’s sustainability, energy, and wellness goals across their portfolios. «The future of our industry is exciting as we look to find harmony between building efficiency and human health and wellness. We will continue to promote innovation and lead the effort in reducing our overall carbon footprint while emphasizing occupant health.» said Mr. Kassanis.

About Sustainable Investment Group (SIG)

SIG is a full-service sustainability and energy consulting firm that provides environmentally focused solutions to design, construction, real estate, and building operations professionals to support a high level of performance, value, ethics and quality in the built environment. Beyond consulting, SIG helps grow the green building industry through education and training, highlighting the importance of academics at all levels. SIG has helped over 15,000 professionals across the U.S. prepare for their LEED exams. 

Media Contact:
Kathy Grawe | SIG Marketing Specialist
kathyg@sigearth.com

Related Images

nick-kassanis-sig-president-2021.jpg
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portrait of Nick Kassanis president of SIG

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SOURCE Sustainable Investment Group (SIG)

WHIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a national distributor of propane, renewable propane, and related products and services, as well as an investor in low carbon fuel alternatives, has registered its «Go Green with Suburban Propane» logo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The trademark registration provides Suburban Propane with the exclusive right to use the trademark with the various goods and services covered by the registration that pertain to its green initiative, including in connection with flyers and newsletters related to the benefits of propane usage and green architecture, and a website featuring energy efficiency information about those same topics.

The «Go Green with Suburban Propane« initiative focuses on the company’s commitment to advocating for the clean burning attributes of propane in the transition to a sustainable energy future and to investing in innovative solutions to pave the way to zero-carbon emissions. When compared to gasoline and diesel, propane and renewable propane can significantly reduce the harmful contributors to greenhouse gases. Renewable propane possesses lower carbon intensity than traditional propane, with no change in performance and handling.

«As one of the leading distributors of propane in the United States, we are committed to educating our customers, legislators and other key stakeholders on the benefits of propane in meeting aggressive carbon reduction targets,» said Nandini Sankara, Spokesperson, Suburban Propane. «With our ‘Go Green with Suburban Propane’ logo officially registered, this further solidifies our commitment to pioneer a cleaner, more sustainable energy future through innovation, technology, and key investments.»

As part of the green initiatives, Suburban Propane has: partnered with U-Haul® to provide eco-friendly, renewable propane in California; purchased a 39% equity stake in Oberon Fuels, Inc., a development-stage producer of low carbon, renewable Dimethyl Ether (rDME) transportation fuel, which is focused on the research and development of a practical and affordable pathway to zero-emission transportation through its proprietary production process; and continued to commit itself to innovation and making investments to bring an even cleaner version of propane to the market.

About Suburban Propane

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE:SPH), is a nationwide distributor of propane, renewable propane, and related products and services, as well as an investor in low carbon fuel alternatives, as well as a marketer of natural gas and electricity, servicing over 1 million customers through its 700 locations across 41 states. The company proudly celebrated 90 years of innovation, growth and quality service in 2018. The brand is currently focused on three core elements including Suburban Commitment – showcasing the company’s 90+ year legacy of flexibility, reliability and dependability, Suburban Cares – highlighting dedication to serving local communities across the nation and Go Green with Suburban Propane – promoting the affordable, clean burning and versatile nature of propane as a bridge to a green energy future. Suburban Propane is a New York Stock Exchange listed limited partnership headquartered in Whippany, NJ. For additional information on Suburban Propane, please visit http://www.suburbanpropane.com/.  

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SOURCE Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.